A model of French aircraft maker Airbus' latest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380, is exhibited on the Trocadero esplanade in front of the Eiffel Tower, Friday June 8, 2001, in Paris, ahead of the 44th Paris Air Show due to start Saturday June 16, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris. less

A model of French aircraft maker Airbus' latest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380, is exhibited on the Trocadero esplanade in front of the Eiffel Tower, Friday June 8, 2001, in Paris, ahead of the 44th Paris ... more

Photo: MICHEL LIPCHITZ, Associated Press

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An Airbus A380 evacuation slide is shown being tested at Goodrich Corporation's Phoenix, Ariz., facility in July 2001. The French-developed plane will require the world's largest evacuation slide, a 55-foot inflatable device. It will take 18 to handle the plane's 550-seat, double-deck capacity, Goodrich said Thursday, July 19, 2001, in announcing the contract. less

An Airbus A380 evacuation slide is shown being tested at Goodrich Corporation's Phoenix, Ariz., facility in July 2001. The French-developed plane will require the world's largest evacuation slide, a 55-foot ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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This computer image released by Airbus Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005 shows the future A380 superjumbo bearing the new Airbus colors. Four European head of states unveiled the double-deck plane, the world's largest passenger plane, near Toulouse, southwestern France. less

This computer image released by Airbus Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005 shows the future A380 superjumbo bearing the new Airbus colors. Four European head of states unveiled the double-deck plane, the world's largest ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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European airplane manufacturer Airbus Chairman Noel Forgeard poses in front of a poster of the future jumbo jet A380, after a press conference in Paris on Jan. 15, 2004.

European airplane manufacturer Airbus Chairman Noel Forgeard poses in front of a poster of the future jumbo jet A380, after a press conference in Paris on Jan. 15, 2004.

Photo: FRANCOIS MORI, Associated Press

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An A380 super jumbo aircraft is moved during the final assembly process in Toulouse, southwestern France, in this photo taken the first week of July and made available Monday, July 12, 2004 by Airbus.

An A380 super jumbo aircraft is moved during the final assembly process in Toulouse, southwestern France, in this photo taken the first week of July and made available Monday, July 12, 2004 by Airbus.

Photo: P. MASCLET, Associated Press

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The first Airbus A380 superjumbo passengers jet is seen outside an hangar in Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 11, 2005.

The first Airbus A380 superjumbo passengers jet is seen outside an hangar in Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 11, 2005.

Photo: CHRISTOPHE ENA, Associated Press

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Airbus employees throw their caps in the air next to the new Airbus A380 after its unveiling ceremony, near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005. The A380 double-deck superjumbo is the world's largest passenger plane. less

Airbus employees throw their caps in the air next to the new Airbus A380 after its unveiling ceremony, near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005. The A380 double-deck superjumbo is the world's ... more

Photo: CHRISTOPHE ENA, Associated Press

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People watch the new Airbus A380 after its unveiling ceremony, near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005. The A380 double-deck superjumbo is the world's largest passenger plane.

People watch the new Airbus A380 after its unveiling ceremony, near Toulouse, southwestern France, Tuesday Jan. 18, 2005. The A380 double-deck superjumbo is the world's largest passenger plane.

Photo: CHRISTOPHE ENA, Associated Press

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The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes off successfully on its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes off successfully on its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Photo: CHRISTOPHE ENA, Associated Press

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In this file photo released by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes off successfully on its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, April 27, 2005.

In this file photo released by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes off successfully on its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, April 27, 2005.

Photo: HO, AP

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In this handout image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

In this handout image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Photo: H. GOUSSE, Associated Press

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In this handout image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

In this handout image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Photo: H. GOUSSE, Associated Press

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The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, prepares to touch down after completing its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, prepares to touch down after completing its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Photo: FRANCOIS MORI, Associated Press

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Spectators cheer as the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, touches down after completing its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Spectators cheer as the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, touches down after completing its maiden flight at Blagnac near Toulouse, southwestern France, Wednesday April 27, 2005.

Photo: BOB EDME, Associated Press

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This photo provided by Airbus shows some of the 474 passengers, all Airbus employees, exiting an Airbus A380 superjumbo that made the first passenger long-distance test flight, in Toulouse, southwestern France, Monday, Sept. 4, 2006. less

This photo provided by Airbus shows some of the 474 passengers, all Airbus employees, exiting an Airbus A380 superjumbo that made the first passenger long-distance test flight, in Toulouse, southwestern France, ... more

Photo: H. GOUSSE, AP

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The engine on the Airbus A380 after it landed at Vancouver International Airport, in Vancouver, B.C.

The engine on the Airbus A380 after it landed at Vancouver International Airport, in Vancouver, B.C.

Photo: Scott Eklund, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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View of the Airbus A380 during a ceremony for its certification at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, southern France, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006.

View of the Airbus A380 during a ceremony for its certification at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, southern France, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006.

Photo: REMY GABALDA, AP

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The interior stairs that connect the two passenger decks of an Airbus A380 are shown during a press tour of the new plane at New York's Kennedy International Airport Monday, March 19, 2007. The superjumbo jet is 239 feet long, with a wingspan of 261 feet, a range of 8,000 nautical miles and room for 549 passengers. less

The interior stairs that connect the two passenger decks of an Airbus A380 are shown during a press tour of the new plane at New York's Kennedy International Airport Monday, March 19, 2007. The superjumbo jet ... more

Photo: Mark Lennihan, AP

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Here's the cockpit of the A380. At left is the joy stick which in all Airbus planes replaces the more traditional yoke. On screen in front of the pilot's position are views from some of the 35 on-board cameras on the plane. The top view is the scene underneath the aircraft. The bottom view is from a camera mounted on the plane's vertical tail. less

Here's the cockpit of the A380. At left is the joy stick which in all Airbus planes replaces the more traditional yoke. On screen in front of the pilot's position are views from some of the 35 on-board cameras ... more

Singapore Changi Airport staff are seen through a glass window with the A380 logo on it in the gate holding room, as they prepare the Airbus A380 plane before its takeoff to Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. Passengers began boarding Singapore Airline's Airbus A380 on Thursday for the new superjumbo's first commercial flight to Sydney. less

Singapore Changi Airport staff are seen through a glass window with the A380 logo on it in the gate holding room, as they prepare the Airbus A380 plane before its takeoff to Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in ... more

Photo: WONG MAYE-E, AP

Image 25 of 36

Briton Julian Hayward, who bought two first-class suites for $100,380 and was the highest bidder in an online auction that was held to sell places on the 7 1/2-hour flight to Sydney, is surrounded by press members as he boards the plane to Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. Passengers began boarding Singapore Airline's Airbus A380 on Thursday for the new superjumbo's first commercial flight to Sydney. less

Briton Julian Hayward, who bought two first-class suites for $100,380 and was the highest bidder in an online auction that was held to sell places on the 7 1/2-hour flight to Sydney, is surrounded by press ... more

Photo: WONG MAYE-E, AP

Image 26 of 36

William Leong, a watch trader, talks to the media with his father, 91-year-old Leong Lou Teck, after they paid $60,000 for eight tickets to Sydney.

William Leong, a watch trader, talks to the media with his father, 91-year-old Leong Lou Teck, after they paid $60,000 for eight tickets to Sydney.

Photo: Getty Images

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Dr. Franc Henze, an Australian surgeon set to board the A380, poses with pilot Captain Robert Ting before the flight.

Dr. Franc Henze, an Australian surgeon set to board the A380, poses with pilot Captain Robert Ting before the flight.

Photo: Getty Images

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Australians Tony and Julie Elwood share a romantic moment on their double bed in the exclusive suite aboard the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. The world's largest jetliner made aviation history Thursday, completing its first commercial flight to carry 455 passengers from Singapore to Sydney, some of them ensconced in the luxury suites and double beds. less

Australians Tony and Julie Elwood share a romantic moment on their double bed in the exclusive suite aboard the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. The world's largest jetliner made ... more

We can thank Airbus for some cabin design innovations, like mood lighting and larger lavatories, but now the airplane manufacturer may have gone too far. It wants to stack passengers on top of each other.

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In a patent application filed last week, an Airbus design replaces the overhead luggage storage with a “mezzanine" of seating. The sketches look like everyone's worst flying nightmare: the upper level passenger’s feet and butt seem to dangle near the head of the lower level passenger.

However, the Airbus argues that the design will more efficiently use cabin space and make the seating arrangement more comfortable.

“Passenger cabins are fitted with as many rows of passenger seats as possible, which are positioned with as little space between them as possible,” the patent says. “It would therefore be desirable to provide a passenger seat arrangement that permits optimum use of space… but still provides a high level of comfort for the passengers.”

Seats on both levels are designed to recline 180 degrees, so passengers will be able to sleep comfortably. Airbus hopes the model will increase the business class section in its planes.

At no point does the patent application define the scale of the sketches, so who really knows. But “spacious” and “comfortable” do not seem like the best terms to describe the design.

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